A Rhetorical Analysis Of Victory Speech By Barack Obama

Words: 464
Pages: 2

Barack Obama’s 2008 Victory Speech is effective because he outlines his intentions of his presidency clearly and he is honest about achieving the goals he has promised. The speech paints a picture of hope while acknowledging that challenging times lie ahead. Obama is able to effectively convey his message that the United States will get through the tense economic times by referencing past challenges that the nation has faced and overcome such as the Great Depression or when the country was at war. Obama knows that even though his victory is a time for celebration he admits that there is a lot of work that needs to be done; he uses his victory speech to outline what he is going to do to help the United States recover from the current crises. …show more content…
He knows that it is not a time to divide the nation but instead chooses to unite people together by repeatedly saying, “yes we can”. This phrase is significant because it shows that Obama is listening to Americans and it shows that he is connecting with ordinary people and including them in the process. The frequent use of the pronoun “we” is important because it shows unity and it shows that Obama is not trying to distance himself from the American people or trying to elevate his status. Even though he has just won the presidency Obama does not use the speech to brag about his success, instead he talks about his opponent in a respectful manner and thanks everyone who helped contribute to the campaign. This shows humility and gratitude, he promises to be a strong leader but understands that he will not be acting alone and that his actions are for the American people and for America’s future. The speech is effective because it uses simple language, this allows people to easily understand and remember the message. Obama’s speech calls for optimism and not despair and is delivered during a time of need, the speech emphasizes hope for America’s future and it argues that anything is possible in the United